'A special person, a special man' - Mark Noble sends spine-tingling message to former West Ham protege Declan Rice as England prepare for Euro 2024 final

Rice will hope to help fire England to European glory when they come up against Spain in Sunday's final in Berlin. The midfielder has played every minute of England's campaign to help lead them to the tournament decider.

Rice has come a long way from the early stages of his career. He broke into the West Ham team and developed under the guidance of Hammers legend Noble before the latter retired in 2022. Rice then went on to join Arsenal and has continued to blossom into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. The 25-year-old and his co-stars can earn legendary status in their homeland if they beat Spain, and Noble says his former protege can play a big role.

Noble said in a video for Adidas: “Declan Rice, I’ve said from day one you are a special person, a special man. People talk about pressure, you remember what I first said to you when we started playing: 'It’s the same size ball, it's the same colour grass, the same size goals'. I have always said to you to ‘be Declan Rice,’ there is no need to be anyone else because the Declan Rice that I know is one of the best football players on the planet. Just enjoy every second my friend. You are a true inspiration to millions and millions around the world. You got this, mate."

Rice and his fellow England stars will attempt to win the country's first major international trophy since their 1966 World Cup success.